Meltem Coban

I have recently completed an MSc Psychological Studies (Conversion) at the University of Glasgow, after more than ten years working with children, young people and families in counselling, education and childcare. Much of this work has been with children who have additional support needs or social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, alongside their parents, teachers and other professionals. For my MSc research I interviewed refugee women about stigma and its effect on their wellbeing, which strengthened my interest in community and culturally sensitive practice.

I speak English and Turkish, and I am now looking for an Assistant Psychologist or similar applied psychology role.

MSc Independent Research Project - University of Glasgow

(2026 - 2026)

• Planned and carried out my own qualitative study on how stigma affects the wellbeing of refugee women living in the UK.
• Prepared the ethics application and handled consent, confidentiality and secure storage of interview data.
• Ran semi-structured interviews on difficult personal topics, taking care to make participants feel safe and listened to.
• Transcribed and analysed the interviews using reflexive thematic analysis.

Founder & Manager - Butterfly Childcare - Scotland

(2017 - 2024)

• Set up and ran my own childcare service for over six years.
• Cared for children with a range of behavioural, social and emotional needs, and adjusted routines and support for each child.
• Kept in close contact with parents and referred families on to specialist services when a child needed more support.
• Was the lead for safeguarding, record keeping and Care Inspectorate requirements.
• Advised staff and parents on child development and managing behaviour.

Counsellor - Sirinler Rehabilitation Centre - Turkey

(2014 - 2015)

• Worked with children and young people with additional support needs at a rehabilitation centre.
• Organised peer counselling groups to help them build confidence and social skills.
• Worked alongside families, teachers and health professionals.
• Kept case notes and reviewed progress against each young person’s support plan.

School Counsellor - FEM Supplementary Schools - Nevşehir, Turkey

(2009 - 2010)

• Offered one-to-one counselling to students struggling with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
• Helped students find ways of coping, and referred on to specialist services when needed.

School Counsellor & Teacher of Psychology, Philosophy and Sociology - Manisa, Turkey

(2006 - 2009)

• Provided pastoral and counselling support, working with teachers and families on emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties.
• Taught psychology, philosophy, sociology and logic at secondary level.

Software Test Automation Engineer

(2020 - 2024)

I worked in this role alongside running my childcare service.

• Wrote and ran automated tests, worked with data in SQL and kept detailed documentation.

MSc - Psychological Studies (Conversion) with Merit - University of Glasgow (2025 - 2026-10)

Graduate Certificate - Counselling - Rize, Turkey (2014 - 2014)

PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) - Pamukkale University, Turkey (2010 - 2011)

BA - Philosophy - Pamukkale University, Turkey (2002 - 2006)

MSc (coursework, not completed) - Philosophy - Erciyes University, Turkey (2011 - 2013)